Spark plug cleaner



c. E; BOWES ETAL SPARK PLUG CLEANER Filed 001;. 4', 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet2 J/v 14w 70,95

CHARLES f. Boa/5 Aug. 19, 1941; c. BQWES ETAL I 2,253,225

SPARK PLUG CLEANER Filed Oct. 4, 1939 :s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug.19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPARK PLUG CLEANER Charles E.Bowes, Paul G. Andre's, and Thomas W. Mullen, Indianapolis, Ind.,assig'nors to Bow'es Seal Fast Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application October 4, 1939, Serial No. 297,804

8 Claims.

This invention relates to means for cleaning spark plugs of the typecommonly employed upon internal coinbustion engines and has for aprimary object the provision cf a very simple and yet effectivestructure wherein the plug may be applied thereto for cleaning and theabrasive cleaning material may be applied under air pressure andrecovered, all without having to employ screens or the like to separatedust from the cleaning material.

A further primary object of the invention is to provide an uniquestructure permitting continuous use and reuse of the finely dividedabrasive material without escape therefrom even though air pressure isapplied in the step of carrying it against the sparkplug. In order topermit efiective use of air pressure as a means of feed ing the abrasivematerial against the spark plug, a flow of air must be had. In otherwords, where the end of the plug is presented within a closed vessel,there must be some means provided for escape of air from that vessel inorder to permit the existence of the current of air as required. In thestructures heretofore known, the discharge of air from the clcsed vesselhas been such that the finely divided dust particles resulting fromtheabrasionfof the spark plug and its cleaning escape into the atmosphere,resulting in inconvenience and also being detrimental to the health ofthe operator. prevents this escape of dust and yet permits the escape ofair, at the same time separately collecting the dust for reinoval sothat the main body of abrasive material is retained in a condition freefrom this dust and foreign matter.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those versed in the art in the following description whichis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a frontelevation of a structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a top plan view: I

Fig. 3, a central longitudinal, vertical section in part on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a horizontal transverse section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5, a similarsection at a higher elevation on the line 5-5 in Fig.3; A

Fig. 6, a detail in horizontal transverse section on the line 6-6 inFig. 3;

Fig. 7, a top plan view of the air directing nozzle; and t v Fig. 8, avertical transverse section on the line 3-4 in Fig- 3.

Our invention Like characters of reference indicate like partsthroughout the various views in the drawings.

Upon a suitable base I0, herein shown as made of sheet metal, is mounteda valve body II con sisting essentially of a cylindrical length of metalhaving a bore I2 entering from its top side. An air line I3 is connectedto the body II incommunication with a passageway I l discharginglaterally through a side of the bore I2.

In the bore I2 is inserted a cylindrical projection [5 from a disc I6which has asufiiciently large diameter to rest over the topside of thebody II. The projection I5 carries a circumferential groove I'Itherea'round immediately under the disc part IS. The disc I6 and itsprojection I5 are made out of a resilient material such as rubber orpreferably a synthetic rubberwhich will not deteriorate in the presenceof oil and air Axially through the disc I5 and its projecti'on I5extends a bore in which is revolvably carried a stern I8. A plate I9fits over the top of the disc I6 and has a plurality of screws passingdownwardly therethrough to engage in the body I I as a means ofretaining the projec tion I5 within the bore I2.

The projection I5 has a transverse bore ZI, Fig. 4, entirely through theneck portion whereby a passageway is provided from the annular groove I!to discharge into the axial bore through the disc l6 and pro ection I5and in which the stem I8 is positioned. The stem 18 is providedwith apair of spaced apart passageways 22 and 23 respectively leading inwardlyfrom its cylindrical face to communicate with cerresponding upwardlydirected passageways 24 and 25 respectively. The iower' end of the stemI8 rests in direct contact with a metallic face presented by the body II at the lower end of the bore through the projection I5. A passageway26 is provided through the member I I fromtn central portion thereofimmediately under the stem I8 to discharge externally of the member. U

Secured to the stem I8 above theplate" I9 is a metallic receptacle 21.In the form herein shown, this receptacle 21 has a lower cylindricalportion, the under side of which is conically formed to terminate withan intuined flange 2t gripped between a pair of lock nuts 29 and 30screw threadedly engaging about the stem I8. A major bore 3| is providedin the upper end of the stern I8 and a tube 311s engaged therein by anysuitable means, such as by screw threads. A shell 33 in the nature of atube of greater diameter than that of the tube}: is engaged over theupper end of the stem I8 by any snitable means, such as byscrew-threads, to extend upwardly in telescoping relation spaced fromand along the tube 32. The upper end of the shell 33 is closed overagainst the inner tube 32 a short distance below the upper end of thetube 32. A plurality of openings 34, herein shown as three in number,Fig. '7, are provided in the upper closed end of the shell 33immediately adjacent the tube 32. Transversely through the stem I3 are anumber of upwardly inclined transverse passageways 35, herein shown astwo in number, discharging into the central bore 3| to communicate withthe bore through the tube 32.

The upper end of the receptacle 21 flares outwardly into a turned upflange 36. An inverted cup 31 is frictionally engaged within the flange36 and has its upper end spaced a distance above the discharge end ofthe tube 32 sufiicient to permit clearance of the lower end of the sparkplug (not shown) when inserted through the flexible throat 38 centrallypositioned in the upper end of the cup. This throat 38 consistsessentially of an elastic material, such as rubber but preferablysynthetic rubber, formed in the nature of a grommet to have an annulargroove about its periphery receiving the edge 39 of an opening in thetop of the cup 31. The central part of the member 38 is provided with ahole 43 therethrough smaller in diameter than the threaded portion ofthe spark plug to be tested. This central portion is in the nature of adiaphragm, being much thinner in cross section than the externalperipheral portion which carries the groove therearound.

It is to be noted that the upper end of the cup 31 is provided with acentral circular boss 4| extending upwardly. This boss 4| serves as apilot by extending with a running fit through a hole provided in a cover42 which is supported by the base I5, here shown as indirectly by anintermediate base portion 51, the exact means of support and connectionbetween the base I!) and the cover 42 being immaterial to the presentinvention.

The cup 31 has a side outlet 43 passing through a nipple around which isclamped a hose 44 integrally extending from a bag 45, The bag 45 isdetachably secured to the nipple by means of the clamp 46 so that it maybe removed for emptying.

A cylindrical metal sleeve 55 is carried within the cup 31 suspendedfrom the top thereof. In the present form, the sleeve 55 fits within theupwardly extending cup boss 4| and is welded thereto. The sleeve 55 isaxially aligned with the cup 31 and extends downwardly'in spacedrelation around the tube 33 to terminate well down therealong,terminating in the present illustration on a level with the underside ofthe cup 31. While the sleeve 55 may be made of two parts to achieve thedesired length, it may be made in one length, the number of piecesdepending upon mechanical expediency in forming.

On th side of the sleeve 55 diametrically opposite the outlet 43 in thecup 31, is provided a discharge hole 56 at an elevation above the top ofthe tubes 32 and 33.

In operation, air is supplied under pressure from any suitable source,such as from the usual tire pump supply. This supply is controlledthrough a valve 41 to flow through the pipe I3 and around the groove l1.The pressur thus applied serves to press the projection l inwardly toform an air-tight fit about the lower end of the stem l8, and alsoserves to press downwardly to sealthe lower face of the projection l5against the end of the bore in the member Any air that might escapearound and under the projection l5 discharges under the stem I8 and isimmediately conducted outwardly through the passageway 26 without beingpermitted to build up pressure under the stem l8. Therefore, no pressurecan be exerted even if leakage exists that would tend to lift the stemI8 upwardly. A lever 48 is fixed to the receptacle 21 and extendsoutwardly through a slot in the cover 42. The passageways 22 and 23 arearranged in relation to the transverse passageway 2| in the rubberprojection l5 and to the position of the lever 48 to have the passageway2| intermediate of the passageways 22 and 23 when the handle 48 is inthe central position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, this being theposition Where no air is admitted to either passageway 22 or 23 from thegroove H. The lever 48 is then shifted to the right, Figs. 1 and 2, toshift the stem 8 to bring the passageway 23 into register with thepassageway 2| and thereby permit air to be discharged through the tube32. As the air travels up this tube 32 under suitable pressure(generally between 75 and 125 pounds) abrasive material (not shown)carried in the receptacle 21 is drawn inwardly through the passageways35 and carried upwardly in this current of air to be directed againstthe lower end of the spark plug which is positioned through the hole 43in the grommet 38, the idea being to shoot this abrasive materialagainst the insulating member and within the bore of the plug shellaround the insulating member so as to clean out all of the carbon andforeign matter and leave the porcelain in a clean condition. Thisabrasive material is of the usual type in fine granular form so it willflow freely through the passageways 35 under the ejector action of theblast of air through the tube 32.

Following the initial blasting action as just indicated, the lever 48 isthen shifted to the lefthand position. In this position, the passageway23 is then closed ofi and the passageway 22 is registered with thepassageway 2| to have the air fiow then through the space within theshell 33 outside of the tube 32. Air discharges from this space throughthe orifices 34 to blow away any remaining particles of the abrasivematerial that may be adhering to the spark plug and also to remove anyof the dust and lighter foreign particles therefrom.

In order that both the blasting and cleaning operations may besuccessfully performed, it is necessary to permit escape of air from theenclosing cup 31. It is to be noted that th diameter of this cup 31 isconsiderable in relation to the diameters of the tube 32 and the shell33. This relatively large volume of the cup 31 is purposely employed topermit a quick reduction in pressure of the air within the cup so thatthe heavy particles carried upwardly in the blast from the tube 32 willtend to drop downwardly within the receptacle 31, at least followingpaths that would be below the level of the discharge opening 43. Thepressure within the cup 31 is relieved by escape of air through theopening 43.

It is to be noted that direct discharge of the air from the tubes 32 and33 is not into the cup 31 but immediately into the sleeve 55 which isopen at the lower end to permit a quick reduction in pressure within thesleeve. The air blast from the tube 32 is within the sleeve 55 and theabrasiveparticles strike the sleeve wall in part upon droppingdownwardly from the air current, and

such xparticles return "by gravity to the supply in the receptacle 21..The dust particles, however,

of such fineness as not to .be hnmediatelyafiected by the pull ofgravity within the sleeve 55 tend to be carried out through the upperdischarge hole 56 in the current of air escaping therefrom.

As indicated by the above description of the structure, the airdischarging through the hole :56 is directed toward the wall of the cup31 to a side opposite the cup outlet 43. This means that the air currentis reduced in velocity by reason of expansion of the air intothe largercup 31. Also, the air current is given a swirling action upon beingreversed in direction and turned around by the cup wall and directedthereby toward the outlet 43 to escape into the filter bag 45. Duringthis reduction in velocity and change in direction of flow, the heavierabrasive particles carried along by the current through the sleeve hole56, are dropped from the air current'under the constant downward pull ofgravity, the change in flow direction particularly aiding in throwingthe particles out of the air stream.

Hence by the time the air reaches the cup outlet 43, the heavierusableparticles of the abrasive are separated from the air and returned to thereceptacle 2'! for re-use, and at the same time, the fine dust iscarried out of the cleaner to the bag 45, and the bag is kept free ofthe heavy particles. the fabric bag 45 where is is retained as the airescapes through the fabric in the same manner as the dust is separated.in the usual collecting bag on a vacuum carpet sweeper. It isunderstood that the bag 45 is of sufficient close mesh that the dustwill be retained but air will be permitted to escape therefrom.

Thus it is to be seen that the invention provides a structure that isexceedingly simple to manufacture and yet very effective in itsoperation and action. By providing the boss 4| to serve as a top pilotbearing, the stem l8 may be oscillated in its valve-like structure atthe lower end without having to provide any other type of bearing,particularly since the disc I6 and its projection are resilient innature and maintained in sealing contact with thestem If! by thepressure of the air itself. The cover 42 prevents any accidental liftingof the stem 18 and its carried parts. It is to be noted that the cover42 is secured in its seated position by screws 49, the under member 51being likewise secured by the screws .50 to thebase t0.

While we have herein shown and described our invention in the one bestform as now known to us, it is obvious that structural changes may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention and we,therefore, do not desire to be limited to that precise for-m beyond thelimitations as may be imposed by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a spark plug cleaning device, a stem, an abrasive carryingreceptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in thereceptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated withsaidstem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansionchamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressuredischarge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and aspark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber insubstantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said stem being rockablyconnected with said valve means, and means for rocking said stem toeffect said air control, said stem having a peripheral orifice Thisdust-laden air passes into communicating with a passageway through thestem from said nozzle to said orifice, and said valve means comprising aresilient, stem encircling thimble mounted within a cup and sealedthereover, and air conducting means through said cup, said thimblehaving an annular, external passageway therearound into which said airmeans discharges to press said thimble around said stem, and apassageway through said thimble selectively registrable with said stemorifice upon said rocking of the stem.

2. In a spark plug cleaning device, a stem, an abrasive carryingreceptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in thereceptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated with saidstem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansionchamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressuredischarge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and aspark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber insubstantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said receptacle beingsubstantially funnel shaped, said chamber comprising an inverted captelescopically fitting with said receptacle, and said nozzle beingaxially aligned with the receptacle axis extending upwardly from thebasethereof and having a plurality of abrasive inlet gholes near thejunction of the nozzle and the receptacle, and a tubular envelopesurrounding said nozzle sealed off from flow of abrasive therein andhaving at least one air discharge orifice at its upper end, and airpassage means from said valve means through said stem into saidenvelope.

3. In a spark plug cleaning device, .a stem, an abrasive carryingreceptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in thereceptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated with saidstem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansionchamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressuredischarge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and aspark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber insubstantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said stem being rockablyconnected with and forming a part of said valve means, and means forrocking said stem to effect said air control, said chamber being carriedby said receptacle and shiftable therewith upon rocking of said stem.

4. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central verticalbore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an endof the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem abovesaid valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orificesselectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore,a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle andhaving one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tubehaving at least one inlet passageway near its basefrom said receptacleinto the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansionchamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closurehaving a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamberbeing of sufficient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particlesto fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to causeseparation of those particles from an air flow through said dischargeopening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said dischargeopening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure towardwhich holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from theother of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, andmeans for shifting said stem in said valve.

5. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central verticalbore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an endof the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem abovesaid valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orificesselectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore,a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle andhaving one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tubehaving at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacleinto the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansionchamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closurehaving a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamberbeing of suflicient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particlesto fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to causeseparation of those particles from an air flow through said dischargeopening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said dischargeopening, a resilient spark plug holder in 4 a wall of said closuretoward which holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leadingfrom the other of said stem passageways also discharging toward saidholder, and means for shifting said stem in said valve, said shiftingmeans consisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and ahousing stationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle andclosure carried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperatingwith said closure for maintaining said stem in alignment with saidvalve.

6. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central verticalbore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an endof the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed L on the stem abovesaid valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orificesselectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore,a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle andhaving one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tubehaving at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacleinto the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansionchamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closurehaving a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamberbeing of sufficient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particlesto fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to causeseparation of those particles from an air flow through said dischargeopening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said dischargeopening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure towardwhich holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from theother of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, andmeans for shifting said stem in said valve, said shifting meansconsisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and a housingstationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle and closurecarried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperating with saidclosure for maintaining said stem in alignment with said valve, saidguide means consisting of a hole through the housing and a part at leastof said closure revolvably entering the housing hole.

7. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central verticalbore, a stem entered in said bore and hearing by one end against an endof the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem abovesaid valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orificesselectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore,a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle andhaving one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tubehaving at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacleinto the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansionchamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closurehaving a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamberbeing of sufiicient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particlesto fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to causeseparation of those particles from an air flow through said dischargeopening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said dischargeopening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure towardwhich holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from theother of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, andmeans for shifting said stem in said valve, said shifting meansconsisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and a housingstationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle and closurecarried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperating with saidclosure for maintaining said stem in alignment with said valve, saidguide means consisting of a hole through the housing and a part at leastof said closure revolvably entering the housing hole, said housing holebeing smaller in diameter than the diameter of said closure, and saidclosure part consisting of a boss entering said housing hole.

8. In a spark plug cleaning device, a vertically directed stem, anabrasive carrying receptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejectornozzle in the receptacle extending vertically from said stem, valvemeans associated with said stem for controlling flow of air through saidnozzle, an expansion chamber into which said nozzle discharges andhaving a pressure laterally discharging opening, a dust collectingfilter bag fixed over said opening and extending therebelow, and a sparkplug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber in substantialaxial alignment with said nozzle, and a cylindrical wall surroundingsaid nozzle spaced both from the nozzle and the wall of said chamber andopening across its lower end into said chamber, said cylindrical wallhaving a lateral discharge opening directed oppositely from said chambeopening.

CHARLES E. BOWES. PAUL G. ANDRES. THOMAS W. MULLEN.

